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A Google Places Help thread has confirmation from Google that Google may request to see your business license as verification to post your listing in Google Maps.
A person who places a request to be listed in Google Places asked:
I received an email from local-help@google.com. They are requesting a scanned copy of my business license. They sent the request to my business email and not to the email I used to create my listing. I just want to know if this is a legitimate request and not some scam.
Google representative, Vanessa, responded that this request is indeed from Google. Vanessa said, "Just to confirm: Yes, that request is from the Google Places support team. "
This is the first case I have seen Google request business documentation for verification in the Google Places directory.
Is this Google going overboard or just a situation where Google has no other way to verify this business?
Forum discussion at Google Places Help.
Comments:
Christy Marie Parker
04/27/2012 02:35 pm
Wow, I have set up a lot of Google places listings and have never had them ask for a copy of the business license.
Linda Buquet
04/27/2012 03:16 pm
This was a unique situation due to a very specific issue that does not come up often. They don't do it often at all, so don’t worry it's not the new 'norm'.
Daniel Hollerung
04/27/2012 03:52 pm
Thanks for the clarity Linda. Your insight is always appreciated.
Michael Dorausch
04/27/2012 04:02 pm
I like it Barry, I like it a lot.
Nyagoslav Zhekov
04/27/2012 05:46 pm
Hey Linda, I couldn't understand what the problem with this particular business was. Could you elaborate on what you've learned about the case?
Linda Buquet
04/27/2012 06:13 pm
Nyag, it's in the private TC forum so you can find it there. Since I'm under NDA don't know if I can post it here. But it was NOT a big deal and again, fairly unique and would not come up very often.